MANCHESTER - Chris Pappas’s campaign for Congress announced today that he has earned the endorsement of the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence. The Pride Fund to End Gun Violence was formed after the 2016 shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, and serves as a strong, concentrated voice of the LGBTQ community in the movement to stop senseless gun tragedies. Currently serving his third term on the Executive Council, Chris is the highest ranked openly gay elected official in the Granite State and would be New Hampshire’s first openly gay member of Congress.

“I’m honored to accept this endorsement of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence,” said Chris. Gun violence in this country is a human rights issue - especially for our community. The 2016 shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando was a tragic wake-up call and another example that we will not be safe until we take action -- especially the LGBTQ community, who are more likely to be the target of hate crimes than any other group in the United States. Action by Congress is long overdue. We must take steps to save lives by banning bump stocks, high capacity magazines, and weapons of war like the AR-15,” continued Chris.

“We endorsed Chris Pappas because of his demonstrated steadfast commitment to the shared ideals of so many Americans: equality for all citizens, and a work ethic that values the voices of constituents over manipulation by the gun lobby,” said Jason Lindsay, Founder and Executive Director of Pride Fund. The vast majority of New Hampshire residents support common sense gun reforms, and they deserve representation that will fight for their values over those of corporate gun manufacturers. We’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Chris in his campaign for Congress and look forward to working with him when he is elected to make American communities safer from senseless gun violence,” continued Lindsay

Allyson Ryder, member of Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion, Seacoast resident, and LGBTQ advocate, stated, “Chris Pappas’s roots as a lifelong Granite Stater means he is steeped in the issues and values that we all care about. As an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community and for common sense gun reform, Chris understands that we need action in Washington on the issue of gun violence. His election as the first openly gay Congressperson from New Hampshire would be historic and add another voice in the fight for the issues that matter to the LGBTQ community including full equality and curbing violence against our communities.”

Chris was the first candidate in the race to earn a distinction from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America last week, and his gun reform platform is available at www.chrispappas.org/gunsense. As a State Representative, Chris was a leading advocate for equal rights and opposed efforts to loosen gun laws. As a member of the Executive Council and the highest ranked LGBTQ official in New Hampshire, he has stood firm against efforts to promote so-called conversion therapy, and he consistently speaks out to include transgender Granite Staters in non-discrimination statutes. Born and raised in Manchester, Chris Pappas runs the Puritan Backroom restaurant where he co-manages the restaurant's day-to-day business and more than 230 employees. He has received the endorsement of Senator Maggie Hassan, The Victory Fund, EQUALITY PAC, NEA-NH, IBEW 2320 & 490, IATSE 195, Manchester Police Union and Granite State Teamsters, along with many grassroots activists and local leaders from across the district. To learn more, visit www.chrispappas.org.